An Evaluation of using U-Turn Movement at Midblock Median Openings Instead of Direct Left Turn at Signalized Intersections with Different Left Turn Traffic Volume

Document Type : Scientific - Research

Authors

Faculty of Engineering, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran

Abstract

Vehicles always have been experiencing delay at signalized intersections. Research has shown that direct left turn movements (DLT) at signalized intersections increase the number of conflicts, and this may lead to increase the waiting time. To address this issue, unconventional alternatives have been proposed. One of these alternatives is using the U-turn movement at the midblock median openings instead of the DLT movement. In this research, the method of using U-turn followed by a right turn (UTRT) movement instead of DLT at three signalized intersections namely Takhti, Sheikh Sadoogh and Azar-Mellat in Isfahan in the presence of different volumes of left turn traffic was studied. At the first step, for the data collection, videotaping for one hour was done at each intersection at the peak hour. Then by using field study method, the geometric and traffic specifications were extracted. Having used Synchro software, the three signalized intersections were optimized in six different scenarios using different left-turn traffic volume and in UTRT mode in seven scenarios as well. Going further, using the optimized timing schemes, the aforementioned intersections were modeled in the Aimsun software in order to evaluate the traffic performance of the proposed method. The simulation results in the Aimsun showed that the use of UTRT alternatives instead of DLT movement, improved performance of the signalized intersections. Using this alternative ended in the reduction of the travel time at Takhti, Sheikh Sadoogh and Azar-Mellat intersections 76 to 85, 36 to 64, and 65 to 84 percent, respectively.

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References

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Quarterly Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 12, Issue 1 - Serial Number 46
September 2020
Pages 63-84

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History

  • Receive Date: 28 May 2018
  • Revise Date: 09 November 2018
  • Accept Date: 10 November 2018

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